We have been monitoring the current situation carefully and have been awaiting clear guidance from the Government before making decisions relating to general model flying and BMFA Model flying events, contests and roadshows. It is clear that the COVID-19 situation is developing rapidly in the UK and members should keep themselves updated on current government and NHS advice.  Please see  https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response  for the latest inf...

National Centre News Release - Corona Virus Measures   We have been monitoring the current situation carefully and have been awaiting clear guidance from the Government before making decisions relating to the activity at the National Centre. It is clear that the Coronavirus situation is developing rapidly in the UK. General Flying In general terms model flying represents a low risk activity due to the predominantly outdoor nature of the activity and the opportunity to maintain separation. ...

Earlier in the week we reported that the CAA expected BMFA members to receive their Operator I.D. numbers by the end of the week. However, as of Friday afternoon, only 4000 BMFA members I.D. numbers had been processed due to a technical problem with their system.  The DMARES guys have informed us that they will be working over the weekend to process the remaining records.  They anticipate that all members (who provided an email address) will be in receipt of their Operator I.D's by Monday morni...

Mike Evatt started his career in competitive free flight in 1957 when he won the Golden Wings contest for under 16s organised by Aeromodeller magazine. He was a member of the Northampton Club then. Along with people like Jaguar designer Ted Evans, Bert Revell and one time Aeromodeller editor and F1C team member Martyn Cowley. Trevor Payne recalls that he and Mike first joined the Northampton MAC when they were 16; the club had a basement meeting room in Kingsthorpe Hall which was in Thorntons Pa...

If you are one of the 18,500 members who registered with the CAA as an Operator via the BMFA prior to the 10th February, then you should be receiving your operator number within the next few days.  The automated email sent to the first 2000 BMFA members uploaded by the CAA earlier this week included reference to the requirement for a Flyer I.D. (which members are exempted from in accordance with CAA General Exemption E 4972).  This has now been amended to reduce confusion. The purpose of the or...

Following the recent update  and issue of the latest exemption from the CAA we have had correspondence from members asking for clarification on the matter. The BMFA's CEO has been in communication with the CAA over the matter with the hope of bringing a clearer picture and concrete guidance for BMFA members. With the social media rumour mill doing its best to muddy the waters, can we ask that our members please sit tight for 24 hours whilst whilst the CEO works hard for a clearer resolution....

A sad loss to the world of Aeromodelling. It's with a great deal of sadness that I have to inform people of the passing of Mick Tiernan on Friday 17th January 2020. Mick was the first ever F2D Control Line Combat World Champion when the World Champs were held at RAF Woodvale Southport in 1978 as well as previously holding the National Championship title and many other both in the UK and abroad. Throughout his years in Combat, he became very much the innovator coming up with many new ideas in ...

Club Bulletin 245, December 2019 can be downlaoded from the link below.   https://bmfa.org/Downloads/All-Downloads?Command=Core_Download&EntryId=3388

It is with regret that I have to inform the model flying community of the loss of a lifetime aeromodeller, expert flyer and dear friend, Keith Whiddett, who has died peacefully at his home following cancer. Within his local Club Keith was revered as the go-to test pilot by many members.  He was present at the formation of South Norfolk Model Flying Club on Hethel wartime airfield in Norfolk during the late 60’s and progressed to becoming a long term committee member and trainer, helping to sha...

There appears to be a considerable amount of myth and misinformation circulating about the status of the exemptions issued by the CAA including those which recognise BMFA Achievements and exempt members from registering as Operators by the 30th November (and doing it instead as part of their BMFA Membership Renewal).  Full details of the CAA exemptions can be found at www.be-lawful.bmfa.org. Concern has been expressed by some that the exemptions are only effective until June 2020.  There is how...